Zellis, the UK and Ireland’s leading HR and payroll software provider, has announced the appointment of Caroline Rowland as its new Chief People Officer, effective immediately. Rowland steps into the role as Caroline Drake prepares to exit in June after six and a half years with the organisation.

Rowland brings over 25 years of HR leadership experience to Zellis, most recently serving at NASDAQ-listed AI pharmatech company Exscientia Ltd. Her career includes senior positions at global organisations including Arm Ltd, Diageo plc, and Deloitte, where she demonstrated expertise in developing innovative people strategies across international teams.

"I am delighted to join Zellis at this exciting time," said Rowland. "The company is in high growth mode and I look forward to enabling sustained value creation for the business whilst delivering a differentiated employee experience aligned to the purpose of Zellis."

Highlighting her approach to people leadership, Rowland emphasized the importance of "fostering connections between colleagues, teams, to the work, our brands and the company" as critical elements of her strategy.

John Petter, Zellis CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: "Caroline Rowland’s deep HR experience and passion for fostering strong organisational culture will be instrumental as we enter the next exciting chapter of our growth journey."

To ensure continuity, Rowland joined Zellis in April to work alongside Drake during a transition period before the latter’s departure next month. Petter acknowledged Drake’s significant contributions, noting her role in shaping "Zellis’ growth and cultural evolution."

Drake, the outgoing CPO, reflected positively on her tenure: "It has been an immense privilege to be part of Zellis’ transformation and to help shape a vibrant and values-driven culture."

This leadership transition comes at a strategic time for Zellis as the company continues to expand its presence in the HR and payroll software market across the UK and Ireland.